Haze From <br />Western Wildfires <br />Spreads to East Coast , Prompting Health Warnings.<br />Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Western United States stretched across North America this week.<br />'The New York Times' reports that the smoke created a thick haze and triggered health alerts from Toronto to Philadelphia.<br />As of July 21, air quality remained in the <br />unhealthy range across the East Coast.<br />This week, the air quality index spiked across the Midwest and East Coast as a result of the fires.<br />The index goes from 0 to 500. The bigger the number, the greater the level of air pollution.<br />Readings over 100 are considered to be particularly unhealthy.<br />Numbers reached as high as 160 in New York City, <br />a range where sensitive groups and the general public <br />may experience adverse health effects.<br />According to CNN, cold fronts coming into the area may help residents breathe a little easier, .<br />but the haze could keep returning until the fires diminish or the jet stream changes.<br />Over 80 large wildfires are currently active across 13 states in America.<br />Many more are burning across Canada
